What describes the process of alleviating symptoms without curing the underlying disease?

Palliative care is a comprehensive approach that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. This type of care is designed to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family. It acknowledges that, while the underlying disease may not be curable, managing symptoms can greatly enhance the overall comfort and well-being of the patient. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments and is applicable in various stages of illness, ensuring a holistic approach to patient care.

In contrast, curative treatment aims specifically to eradicate a disease or condition completely. Symptomatic care primarily addresses specific symptoms without the broader, holistic philosophy of palliative care. Diagnostic assessment is focused on identifying the nature of a condition rather than alleviating any symptoms. Therefore, palliative care stands out as the most appropriate choice for a process that alleviates symptoms without necessarily targeting the underlying disease.